White House Central Files: Staff Member and Office Files
Kenneth Cole joined the White House staff of President Richard Nixon and remained a White House staff member for the entire
Nixon presidency (1969-1974). Cole served under Assistant to the President for Domestic Affairs John Ehrlichman as his deputy
as well as serving as the Executive Director of the Domestic Council. In January 1974, after Mr. Ehrlichman's resignation,
Cole became President Nixon's head domestic adviser and was appointed Assistant to the President for Domestic Affairs. Cole
remained in this position after President Nixon's resignation in August 1974.

Background

Kenneth Reese Cole, Jr., was born in New York City on January 27, 1938. Mr. Cole was raised in Scarsdale, New York, and later
in Westfield, New Jersey. A graduate of Bucknell University, Ken Cole served in the United States Navy from 1961 to 1965 as
a lieutenant. After his military service, Mr. Cole worked at the advertising agency of J. Walter Thompson under future Nixon
White House Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman. In 1968, Mr. Cole left the Thompson Agency with Mr. Haldeman, as well as several
other future Nixon White House staff members, to work on Richard Nixon’s presidential campaign. Mr. Cole served as the Director
of Scheduling during the 1968 campaign. After the 1968 election, Mr. Cole joined the White House staff of President Richard
Nixon and remained a White House staff member for the entire Nixon presidency (1969-1974). Ken Cole served under Assistant
to the President for Domestic Affairs John Ehrlichman as his deputy as well as serving as the Executive Director of the Domestic
Council. In January 1974, after Mr. Ehrlichman’s resignation, Mr. Cole became President Nixon’s head domestic adviser and
was appointed Assistant to the President for Domestic Affairs. Mr. Cole remained in this position after President Nixon’s
resignation in August 1974, and served President Gerald Ford until 1975. After leaving government service, Mr. Cole worked
for the Union Camp Corporation in Wayne, New Jersey, as Senior President. Kenneth Cole died on August 16, 2001, at his home
in Willsboro, New York.

Extent

25 linear feet, 10 linear inches, 59 boxes

Restrictions

Most government records are in the public domain; however, this series includes commercial materials, such as newspaper clippings,
that may be subject to copyright restrictions. Researchers should contact the copyright holder for information.

Availability

Collection is open for research. Some materials may be unavailable based upon categories of materials exempt from public release
established in the Presidential Recordings and Materials Preservation Act of 1974.